Passion flower is a gentle herbal tranquilizer and antispasmodic. A tea can be used to help support insomnia caused by worry and overwork, tension headaches, and neuralgia. Passion flower will slightly reduce blood pressure while increasing respiration and depressing motor activity. Extracts of the rhizome were formerly used to help support hemorrhoids, burns, and erysipelas.

The above-ground plant parts are harvested when in bloom. The fruits are sweet and edible. They contain some calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

General Herb Information

There are over 400 species of passion flowers, mostly from tropical America with two species, P. incarnata and P. lutea, indigenous to the southern United States.

P. incarnata is a perennial climber found from Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri. The fast-growing vines climb with tendrils, and often reach thirty feet inlength. They die back to the root when hit by frost. The dull green leaves are four to six inches long, with three to five broad, deep lobes which have serrated margins. The fantastic floral assemblage is one of the most intricate and remarkable of the plant world. Above the ten-part receptacle is a corona with white-purple thread-like filaments. Five stamens with hammer-like anthers surround a three-parted style, topped with reddish stigmas protruding from the flower's center like the antennae of a space ship. The flowers are two to three inches across. The yellowish edible fruits-called maypops are about the size of a hen's egg and are filled with seeds surrounded by a sweet mucilaginous flesh.

Passion flowers spread from root runners and can be grown from seeds, or cuttings, or by dividing the runners in autumn.

Passion flowers need a place to climb. They often grow along fence rows or climb trees along railroad tracks. A slightly acidic sandy loam with full sun will create a good patch. In areas where temperatures dip below -15°F, passion flowers will not survive the winter.

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KHU - May 31, 2013, 13:24

#10004348

I have consistent constipation due to my cholesterol meds, and this passiflora has not had any impact on that whatsoever. It DOES cure 95% of my lower leg and foot cramps. I've taken this for a year now. NO side effects have manifested.

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